Housing and Shelter agencies get a new director

By Lindsay Steele
The Catholic Messenger

Davenport — Emily Harvey, LMSW, will assume the position of executive director of Humility of Mary Housing Inc. (HMHI) and Humility of Mary Shelter Inc. (HMSI) on June 1. The board of directors of both organizations announced her hiring earlier this month.

“I’m excited to work for the Humility of Mary housing and shelter (programs) because I’ve always been so appreciative and impressed by what they have done for individuals and families in our community. I’m very excited to join the team.”

Harvey will, in coordination with the boards of HMHI and HMSI, be responsible for the provision of support services to persons who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in the Quad Cities and its surrounding areas, in conformity with the mission of each organization.

Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. is a transitional and permanent supportive housing program that provides single-parent families experiencing homelessness with opportunities for growth and development that could result in self-sufficient living. Humility of Mary Shelter is an emergency shelter that provides temporary housing and services, offering men and women experiencing homelessness the opportunity to become more stable emotionally, mentally and physically.

Sister Johanna Rickl, CHM, a member of the internal search committee, said, “Emily brings a wonderful background of education and experience. With that, plus her passion for our mission, we are confident that she will work effectively with our fine staff and be a positive addition to both agencies.”

Before joining Humility of Mary shelter and housing programs, Harvey was director of social services for The Salvation Army of the Quad Cities. She managed many aspects of the nonprofit agency, including the Emergency Shelter Program, Transitional Housing Program and Emergency Disaster Services Programs. She has worked with HUD funding regulations, fair housing requirements, Housing First initiatives and in other executive-level management areas. Harvey is also adjunct faculty at St. Ambrose University School of Social Work in Davenport, teaching social welfare policy classes to graduate-level students.

It was through her work in social service agencies in the Quad Cities that she came to understand and appreciate the benefits of Humility of Mary housing and shelter programs. “When I was at Salvation Army, HMHI and HMSI reached out to us. They were trying to partner with all of these different agencies and say, ‘Look, there are these people who aren’t being served, falling through the cracks; what can we do to help them?’ They have led so many efforts locally, leading initiatives to start new programs and services to meet needs that aren’t currently being met.”

In her position, Harvey hopes to carry on the tradition of the organization. “I want HMHI and HMSI to continue to be innovative leaders in the community when it comes to providing services for those in need.”

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